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BUFFALO, NY - Seniors Kali Watkins (Rochester, NY/W. Irondequoit HS) and Dan Poulsen (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda HS) and junior Mike Garofalo (Sharpsville, PA/Kennedy Christian HS) have been named captains of the 1998 University at Buffalo football team, according to head coach Craig Cirbus.

"It's very rare to have the leadership of your team declared this early," noted Cirbus, entering his fourth season with the Bulls. "Throughout the past several months of off-season conditioning it's become clear throughout the team that the leadership lies in these three individuals. As students, as athletes, and as human beings, Kali, Dan and Mike resonate what UB football would like to represent to our community."

Watkins is a two-year starter who was second on the team in receiving last season with 54 catches for 714 yards and two touchdowns. Watkins ranks fifth all-time in UB history in receptions (104), sixth in total yardage (1,548) and is tied for first in 100-yard games in his career with eight. Watkins finished 44th in the nation last season in receptions per game (4.91).

Poulsen, meanwhile, is a three-year letterman who started all 11 games last season for the Bulls. Poulsen, a former All-Western New York selection, was ninth on the team with 43 tackles and led the squad with seven quarterback sacks. A member of the GTE District I Academic All-American team this past fall, Poulsen carries a 3.83 grade point average while majoring in Sociology.

Garofalo, meanwhile, has started every game in his UB career after red shirting his freshman season. Garofalo has started 22 straight games and helped the Bulls to rank eighth in the nation in passing offense last season. He has also earned two letters on the UB wrestling team. Garofalo is a UB Scholar-Athlete with a 3.40 grade point average while majoring in Business Administration.

The Bulls are entering the final season in the I-AA ranks before becoming a member of the Mid-American Conference in 1999. Buffalo opens the 1998 season on Sept. 3 at Maine.